Gerrard: Plenty to do in top four race
Steven Gerrard has watched Liverpool haul themselves back into contention for a Champions League place with glee but, as he prepares to contribute to the cause again, warned there is plenty still to do.
With 10 games remaining of the Barclays Premier League season, the Reds trail a top-four position by just two points, while third-place Arsenal are only one further ahead in a congested table.
Having coolly scored from the penalty spot in a pivotal 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield last month, the captain suffered a hamstring problem in the game that has restricted him to the sidelines since.
Three consecutive league victories have been chalked up in the interim, with Brendan Rodgers' team overcoming close rivals Southampton and Manchester City, plus Burnley, to record 12 Premier League matches unbeaten.
The skipper, who is expected to be in contention for the trip to Swansea City on Monday night, believes they'll need more of the same throughout the run-in if elite European football is to be played at Anfield in 2015-16.
He wrote in his most recent programme notes: "Winning our last four league games has certainly improved our chances of finishing in the top four.
"At the same time we know our recent good run has guaranteed absolutely nothing.
"After our up-and-down start to the season, all it's done is get us in contention for a Champions League spot. Plenty of other teams are fighting for the same objective.
"None of them are going to make it easy for us, so we have to keep picking up points. There are still a lot of games to be played and we haven't achieved anything yet.
"In recent weeks the manager has had to utilise all of the squad and each player who has got on the pitch has taken their chance by performing well.
"I've said previously that choosing the starting XI should never be an easy task for the boss and when everyone is available that will certainly be the case."